Did funds for Chattisgarh come from "Mama's house": Modi asks Rahul

Citing multi-crore 2G and coal scams, the BJP Prime Ministerial candidate also said Congress has done "PhD in corruption"

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday mounted a shrill attack on Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi over use of central funds by Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)-ruled Chhattisgarh, asking whether the money came from his “mama’s (maternal uncle) house”, a dig at Sonia Gandhi’s Italian origin.

Citing the multi-crore 2G telecom spectrum allocation and coal scams, the BJP prime ministerial candidate also said the Congress has a “PhD in corruption” and it has become a burden on the country.

Addressing a series of public meetings in poll-bound Chhattisgarh, including at Kawardha, home town of Chief Minister Raman Singh, Modi slammed the Congress for opposing opinion polls, saying fear of losing elections was the reason behind its “nonsensical” demand and “desperate” tactics.

Targeting the Congress chief and the party vice-president over their claims that the Centre was giving funds to Chhattisgarh but the state was not able to use them properly, Modi asked if these funds are coming from Rahul’s “mama’s house”.

Alleging that Congress’ claims of giving massive funds to Chhattisgarh under various schemes is an insult to its people, Modi said, “Sonia Madam and shehzade (Rahul) had come here. Said so much foodgrains and funds were given. Are you people standing here with a begging bowl.... What kind of language is the Congress speaking.”

Asserting that the people have a right to central funds, he said, “I want to ask Shehzada that you keep on saying that we gave so much money, I want to know if he got the money from his Mama’s house. Did you give the money by taking it from your Mama’s house?. This is the people’s money.”